During Congress’ summer recess this month, members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America are holding lemonade stands across the country to pressure Congress to pass background check legislation when they return in the fall. Moms Demand Action NY Hudson Valley Chapter will take part locally on August 27th from 11am – 1pm at The Sign of the Times, 112 Main Street, Nyack.

Remember the sequester and all of the headlines it got back in March? Seems like all of the bellyaching was for nothing — and life seems to have gone on Just Fine for most of us. That’s of course, after the immovable Congress decided to adjust some rules so that the FAA had the latitude to give airlines some altitude.

Well it turns out that not everyone who was affected by the sequester worked in the moving “Congressman and Senators around the country” business. In fact, a small group of constituents impacted by Headstart cuts don’t even have their own lobbyist! But have no fear, someone is looking out for this “tiny” minority.

Jen Laird-White is only the third woman to be mayor of the Village of Nyack. In recognition of Women’s History Month, Nyack Sketch Log talks with our Mayor about the State of The Village, the backlash officials received after passing a resolution supporting Governor Cuomo’s Gun Control legislation, the high and low points so far and her future plans.

Guns have been in the news over the past few weeks: thousands attended a pro 2nd Amendment rally in Albany; a 70 year old man shot and killed a lawyer during a mediation dispute in Phoenix, NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee; Congresswoman Nita Lowey and a dozen local officials urged federal officials to reduce gun violence.

Nyack resident Frank LoBuono grew up around guns and knows how to use them, but he didn’t attend the Albany rally to defend the 2nd amendment. Here’s why:

Billions are being sought for Hurricane Sandy reconstruction by the governors of New York and New Jersey and New York City’s mayor. The full dollars may not come given the federal budget deficit, the ‘€œfiscal cliff’€ stalemate and traditional congressional reluctance to assist the Northeast, but whatever funds do arrive, the worry is that the greedy already see cash in their big eyes.